Genetic markers for pig backfat thickness

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of screening pigs to identify those which have a genetic predisposition to have a thinner or thicker backfat thickness by assaying the pattern of the five single nucleotide polymorphisms in the HSP70.2 gene that is associated with backfat thickness.

1. A method of screening a population of Duroc pigs for genetic predisposition of backfat thickness comprising:
 a) obtaining a sample of genomic DNA from the Duroc Pigs; 
 b) detecting the presence of polymorphism in the porcine HSP70.2 5′-flanking region comprising SEQ ID NO 1 at nucleotides 44, 232, 250, 345 and 393; 
 c) identifying the genotype of CCATT/CCATT, CCATT/CC-TC, CCATT/CCATC, CC-TC/CC-TC, or CCATT/AAACC whereby said genotypes indicates the Duroc pigs having a genetic predisposition to backfat thickness less than Duroc pigs with genotypes CC-TC/AAACC, CCATC/CCATC or CCATC/AAACC.